[Cherie Muir]

Hi there,

I hope you’re all well.

The OLG have revised the pensioner concession application forms and have new versions for download from their website (approved by Centrelink). It seems they have reverted to asking joint owners (who are eligible pensioners) to complete separate forms again … saying that only partial rebates will apply if not.

https://www.olg.nsw.gov.au/public/about-councils/laws-and-regulations/rates-charges-and-pensioner-concession/

In the case of husband and wife or defacto, two forms have never been necessary to receive full rebate. Has something formally changed here? Or it is just the forms that are driving this?

Just interested in how each Council will handle this. Scenario: Property owned by Mr & Mrs Smith who are married and both eligible pensioners. They used to be entitled to 100% of available rebate no matter which of one of them made an application (one application at a minimum). Question: Are they both required to apply now before we are able to grant 100% of available rebate?

I fully understand the one pensioner = one form rule for sibling or other arrangements that are not marriage or defacto.

The forms do not even ask if the co-owners are pensioners or not.

I’m thinking the OLG did not liaise with NSWRP about these before rolling them out.

Your insights appreciated, thank you

Cherie

[Suzi Flynn]

Hi Cherie,

A change in the form does not change the legislation. The entitlement of 100% for husband and wife has not changed.

Councils just need to understand that they can’t do a Centrelink check on any person that has has not completed the form and authorised the check.

Suzi

[Cherie Muir]

My thoughts exactly, thanks for your feedback Suzi.

Trouble is, we are not online yet (hope to be very soon). Centrelink still has to approve our online form before we can launch it. So we’ll need to leave in the instruction at the top that implies one form per eligible pensioner. We will do this. And it will create confusion in the marriage and defacto cases. I’ll just have to educate around it. Our back end approval and processing will not change.

Thanks again 🙂

Cherie

[Darryl Telfer]

I think it is advisable to obtain applications from Mr and Mrs Ratepayer/Pensioner – if they are both eligible. By having both on the books, the rebate can continue uninterrupted without having to seek a new application from the surviving partner when (as is assured for us all) one partner passes away.

[Cherie Muir]

You’re right Daryl, that’s the best way for a good customer experience.
When our electronic form goes online well be sure to surround it with good clear Comms.
Thanks!
Cherie

[Andrea Dolan]

Hi Cherie,
We do what Daryl has said. Where we can, we ask both to complete a form, if eligible, so that we can continue the rebate if their circumstances change.
Andrea

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